Wedge button



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WEDGE BUTTON Filed Nov. 24, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

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nited States Patent O 3,483,841 WEDGE BUTTON Walter L. Blackburn, 6105 England, Houston, Tex. 77021 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 558,097,

June 16, 1966. This application Nov. 24, 1967, Ser.

Int. Cl. 1363b 21/56, 21/04 US. Cl. 114-218 23 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation-in-part application of my co-pending application Ser. No. 558,097, filed June 16, 1966, and entitled Wedge Button now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Deck buttons are well-known devices utilized in securing together boats and/ or barges (hereinafter referred to as barges). The buttons are secured to the decks of adjacent barges and connecting cables are then passed around the buttons and secured, thus fastening the barges together. One end of the cable is usually attached to a winch or a type of turnbuckle commonly known as a steamboat ratchet, by which the slack in the cable is taken up, thus drawing the barges into proper position. The second end of the cable must, of course, also be secured to prevent cable slippage.

Prior to the persent invention, this second or free end of the cable was commonly secured by means of loop or a clamp. However, this requires an additional deck fitting, which may be eliminated with the present invention. It is preferable to use as few deck fittings as possible. The most common prior art method of securing the loose end is to form the end into a loop which is then placed about a deck button. The loop must normally be formed by splicing the cable end into the body of the cable since, due to the nature of cable, it is not possible to tie a knot. This method has the disadvantage of rendering this end of the cable unfit for future use in a winch. Furthermore, a loop appropriates one segment of a button making it unavailable for purposes of adjusting mechanical advantage. Another disadvantage is found in the fact the decks of the barges so secured are often of different elevations above the water level, and a number of fittings do not function properly in such situations. Still another disadvantage found in many of the prior art type devices is that they are somewhat susceptible to theft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a deck button having as a portion thereof, means for releasably securing the loose end of the cable. This is accomplished by having a wedging mechanism incorporated into an otherwise standard deck button. One embodiment of this wedging mechanism comprises generally a base portion on the top of which is an inverted U-shaped member, the legs of the U-shaped member be- 3,483,841 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 ing attached to the base portion. The wedging mechanism further comprises a wedge member slidable within the passageway defined by the base portion and the inverted U-shaped member. At least a portion of the Wedge member is of sufiicient width to prevent the wedge member from sliding completely through the passageway by reason of this wide portion contacting the legs of the U-shaped member. The cable is passed into the passageway and about the wedge shaped member in such a manner that it is interposed between the wedge member and the aformentioned legs. As the force created by the action of the adjacent barge tends to pull the cable from the wedging mechanism, the wedge member itself is pulled further into the passageway. This creates a gripping action on the cable due to the action of the wedge relative to the legs. As the force on the cable is increased, the gripping action is, accordingly, increased. Thus, the free end of the cable is securely attached, whereby cable slippage is prevented.

As an alternate embodiment, the wedge mechanism may be mounted in a vertical manner although the opera: tion is essentially the same. Further modifications may be made by having the wedging mechanism rotatable relative to the base portion, the base portion being, of course, fixedly attached to the deck of a barge.

The utilization of swages at the end of the cable that is passed through the wedging mechanism prevents the cable from being pulled out of the wedge button, either accidentally or intentionally. The use of a similar swage or other arrangement at the opposite end of the cable will prevent removal from that the end. Thus, the employment of the wedge button can be used to prevent unauthorized removal of the cable, and will further aid in preventing such removal of the individual of the individual deck fittings, as will be explained.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means to safely secure the free end of an interconnecting cable.

It is a further Object of the present invention to provide said securing means as an integral portion of existing deck accessories, thereby eliminating the need for additional securing means.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide securing means for the free end of an interconnecting cable which would eliminate the necessity of forming the free end into a loop, thereby rendering that end of the cable unfit for future use in a winch.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive means to secure the free end of the cable which is easily and quickly operated, which provides a reliable securing means, and which compensates for differences in height of the barges so secured.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide cable securing means which is not susceptible to theft.

An additional object is to provide such a securing means which is rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the barge deck to which it is connected.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from an examination of the following descriptions of presently preferred embodiments of this invention, which are given for the purpose of disclosure, and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAVING Like character references designate like parts throughout the several views of the drawings, which views are as follows:

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view showing the wedge button of the present invention utilized in securing two barges together,

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the wedge button,

FIGURE 3 is an elevation view of the present invention taken along lines 33 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is an elevation view, in section, of a second embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 5 is an elevation view, in section, of yet a third embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 6 is a plan view taken along section line 66 of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5,

FIGURE 7 is an elevation view, in section, of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed along line 77 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 8 is an elevation view of a swaging device which may be used to place the swages about the cable,

FIGURE 9 is a parital perspective view of a ratchet winch that may be used herein, and

FIGURE 10 is a steamboat ratchet that may be used in place of the ratchet winch of FIGURE 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown two barges 10 and 12 connected by cable 14. The cable 14 is passed about deck button 16 which may be of the type disclosed in my Patent No. 3,285,572 entitled Deck Button. The deck button 16 is secured to the deck 18 of the barge 12. A wedge button, the subject matter of the present invention, and generally referred to by the numeral 20, is attached to the deck 22 of the barge 10.

The end 24 of the cable 14 is attached to a conventional winch or steamboat ratchet designated diagrammatically as R by which the slack in the cable is taken up, thus properly positioning the barges 10 and 12. The winch R may be of the type disclosed in my Patent No. 3,302,- 931, issued Feb. 7, 1967. Extending from the winch, the cable is passed about the deck button 16 in the lower groove 26. It is then passed about the groove 28 of the wedge button 20, the groove 30 of the button 16, and into one side of the wedge mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 32. The cable is placed about the wedge member 34, and the free end of the cable 36 is passed back out of the wedge mechanism. The operation of the wedging mechanism will be explained in more detail below.

Turning now to FIGURES 2 and 3, the present invention is shown in greater detail. For purposes of explanation, the left portion of the wedge button, as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 3, will be referred to as the front, and the right portion as the rear. The wedge button is comprised of a base member 38 which is securely or permanently attached to the deck of a barge, for example by bolting or welding to the deck the outwardly extending fiange 40. A cable-receiving sleeve portion or groove 28 is shown in the side wall of the base member and is quite similar to such grooves on prior art deck buttons. The base member has a top surface 42 which is inclined upwardly from the rear to the front as can best be seen in FIGURE 3. Integrally attached to this top surface 42 is the top member 44. The top member 44 is substantially an inverted U-shaped member and is composed of vertical sidewalls or legs 46 and 48 and a top portion 50, the top portion 50 and surface 42 being essentially parallel.

Another embodiment disclosed herein is shown in FIG- URE 7. This figure views the device as the device of FIG- URE 2 would be viewed along lines 77. The wedging device of FIGURE 7 is essentially the same as that of FIGURES 1-3, but the top has been replaced by inwardly extending flanges 49.

As shown in FIGURE 2 the general configuration of the wedge button when viewed from above is that of a Wedge, the rearward portion being relatively wide, the width gradually decreasing until at the front, the width is quite narrow with respect to the rear. This wedge configuration is also found in top member 44. As shown in FIG- URE 2, the rear or righthand portion of member 44 is .4 relatively wide with respect to the front or lefthand portion. Accordingly, the distance between the sidewalls 46 and 48 is substantially greater at the rear of member 44 than at the front. A passageway is thus defined by the top 50, the sidewalls 46 and 48, and the top surface of the base 42, which passageway tapers in width from the back to the front.

A wedge member 34 is slidably mounted in this passageway. The wedge member 34 has configuration which generally conforms in size and shape to that of the passageway. A bolt 54 or other appropriate securing means passes through the member 50 and the passageway, and is fixedly attached to the base member 38. The bolt 5'4 may be either screwed into the top portion of the base member 38, as shown in FIGURE 3, or it may be permanently attached to the base member, for example, by welding. A slot 56 is located in the wedge member 34 and lies along the longitudinal axis of the wedge member. The bolt 54 passes through this slot, thereby allowing the wedge member to slide along a path parallel to its longitudinal axis for a distance determined by the length of slot 56, while at the same time preventing the removal of the wedge member from the wedge button 20. A second slot 58 is shown at the rear of the wedge member 34 and provides a means by which the wedge can be moved into and out of the passageway when one desires to attach a cable in the wedgeing mechanism. A groove 60 is shown extending along substantially the entire distance of the sidewalls of the wedge member including the rear sidewall. This groove is best shown by the broken lines in FIGURE 2. Similar facing grooves may extend the entire length of the sidewalls 46 and 48. The start of these last mentioned grooves may be seen in the front-most portion of walls 46 and 48 as viewed in FIGURE 2.

The operation of the device is essentially as follows. The wedge member 34, by means of the slot 58, is pulled to the rear of the wedge button, whereby relatively little of the wedge member 34 is in the passageway defined by members 42, 46, 48 and 50. This provides sufficient space within the passageway for the free end 36 of the connecting cable to be passed therethrough. The cable is passed from the front of the wedge button through the passageway adjacent the wall 48. The cable is then passed around the rear of the wedge member 34 and back through the passageway adjacent the side wall 46 At this point, the wedge member is pushed forward, or as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 3, moved to the left, so that the cable 14 is securely gripped by the co-action of the sidewalls 46 and 48 and the wedge member 34. The cable rests in the groove 60 and the facing grooves located in the sidewalls 46 and 48.

The end of the cable opposite the loose end 36 is then appropriately rigged to the barges, and for example, may be passed around the deck button 16 on the barge to be secured; returned to the wedge button and passed about the lower cable groove 28; and then passed around the lower groove 26 of button 16. The opposite end 24 is then returned to the barge 10 at which point it is attached to a winch or steamboat ratchet R by which the slack is removed from the cable and the barges are securely and properly fastened together. The slack may also, of course, be taken up by pulling the free end 36 through the wedge button.

If desired, a swage may be attached to the free end or ends of the cable, as shown on end 36 in FIG- URES 1 and 5. Such a swage may be formed from a cylinder of material such as aluminum or steel. This cylinder is slipped over the end 36 and a die 122 (see FIG- URE 8) is placed around the cylinder. A hydraulic ram 124 is then used to force the die around the swage, C0111- pressing the swage onto the cable. Sufiicient force is used so that the interior of the swage is actually deformed and the strands of the cable are pressed into the material of the swage, thereby forming a tight, secure bond between the swage and the cable. In the apparatus of FIG- URE 8, bolts 126 act as a guide for the movable part of the die and to hold the remainder of the die stationary relative to the cylinder. The line 128 supplies hydraulic fluid to the clyinder 124. It is understood, of course, that the compressing of the swage 120 could be performed by other means, such as a mechanical screw arrangement.

Quite often the decks of the barges which are to be secured together are of different elevations. This can present problems in the operation of some deck fittings. The present invention is designed to function normally in such situations, however, since there will be an adequate horizontal force to maintain the wedging action. The top portions of this embodiment of the invention are, nevertheless, inclined upwardly, thus compensating for some of the upward pull when the opposite barge deck 18 is higher. Should the opposite barge be lower, the cable will strike the edge of the deck 22 which will limit the downward angle, thus presenting little or no problem.

Turning now to FIGURE 4, a second embodiment will be discussed. This embodiment of the wedge button is comprised of the base portion 70 having an outwardly extending base flange 72 for attachment to the barge deck 22. The upper surface 74 of the base is fiat and substantially horizontal with the barge deck 22. The base portion 70 is also hollow to receive a cylindrical insert 76 having a top 77. Mating grooves 78 are located in the facing walls of the cylindrical insert 76 and the base 70. Ball bearings 80 are contained in these grooves and allow the rotation of the cylindrical insert 76 relative to the stationary base, yet prevent the removal of the cylindrical insert and attached wedging means 82 from the base.

The top 77 of the base or button portion 70 is, as can be seen from an examination of FIGURE 4, an integral part of the Wedge means 82. Due to the horizontal positioning of the top 77, the wedge mechanism 82 is also essentially parallel to the barge deck 22, unlike the first discussed embodiment.

The upper or wedge portion 82 is comprised of a generally inverted U-shaped housing 84, which is tapered in the same manner as was the housing member 44 of the first embodiment. A wedge 86 is received within this housing and is retained therein by the bolt 54 in the same manner as before. The wedge has a groove 60 which mates with similar grooves 88 in the side walls of the housing 82. The groove 56 having a forward wall 96, is located in the wedge 86 to allow the wedge to slide relative to the wedge means 32, and yet prevent removal of the wedge from the wedge button. A handle 87 is located on the wedge for movement of the wedge.

An opening 90 is located in the top of the member 82, and a mating recess 92 is located in the lower portion of the U-shaped member and in alignment with the opening 90. These openings 90 and 92 are also aligned with the slot 56 when the wedge 86 in in its forwardmost position. A bolt 94 is received within the two openings 90 and 92 and slot 56 when the wedge is in this position. Alternatively or in addition to the bolt 94, a screw 95 may extend through and threadingly engage the wedge 86 at the rear of the housing 82.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 is much the same as that with the embodiment discussed earlier. This last embodiment differs, however, in that it is rotatable relative to its base 70. This can have a significant advantage due to the fact that deck fittings vary relative to each other on different barges, tugboats, and the like, and depending upon the makeup of the barge train. By providing for the wedge portion to be rotatable, a fair lead can be obtained with the connecting fitting on the other barge even though it is not in exact alignment. This also lessens the twisting stress on the wedge button. Since the force exerted on the wedge button through the cable would not coincide with the central axis of the wedge button, a certain moment force is experienced by the wedge button. This will result in the wedge button swinging to the position wherein the moment arm is the smallest. This can best be understood by an examination of FIGURE 2. Assuming that the cable stretching to the opposite barge. comes out of the housing adjacent the sidewall 46, when a pulling force is applied on the cable, there would be a tendency for the wedge button to swing in a clockwise direction. This is due to the fact that the force applied is not aligned with the central axis of the wedge button. Accordingly, the provision of the rotating wedging mechanism relieves this twisting force exerted on the button. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4, the wedging mechanism will simply swing around to assume the position having the smallest moment arm. This is also applicable where the wedging mechanism is aligned with, or has a fair lead to, the connecting means on the opposite barge.

A second distinguishing feature of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 is the use of the pin 94. When the cable has been inserted and force applied so that the wedge 86 is moved forward as far as it will go, the Openings and 92 are aligned with the slot 56. The insertion of the pin 94 will contact the forwardmost edge 96 of the slot 56, as shown in FIGURE 4. By use of the pin 94, should slack come into the cable 14, the wedge 86 will be prevented from loosening, but will hold the cable tight, as if the force were still being applied by means of the cable 14. It is, of course, understood, that in order to achieve this result, the openings 90 and 92 must be properly aligned with respect to the slot edge 96 and with regard to the diameter of the bolt 94.

The screw may be used in addition to, or alternatively with, the bolt 94 to secure the wedge in its forward position. By screwing the screw 95 into the wedge 86, the lowermost end of the screw will contact the top 77 of the base portion, thus forcing the wedge upwardly against the U-shaped housing 82. The combined friction created by the contact of the housing 82 with the wedge 86 and the screw 95 with the base top 77 is sufficient to prevent the sliding out of the wedge should the cable become slack. It is to be further understood that the use of the bolt 94 or screw 95, as well as the rotatable feature of the embodiment of FIGURE 4, may be utilized with any of the embodiments discussed herein.

Turning now to FIGURES 5 and 6, still another embodiment of the present invention will be discussed. The wedge button shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 is comprised of a base portion 70 and an upper wedging portion 100, as with the other embodiments. The base portion here is the same as that in the embodiment of FIGURE 4 and need not be discussed in detail here. It should be noted that this embodiment also revolves relative to the stationary base portion 70.

Turning now to the upper portion or wedging mechanism 100, it is comprised generally of two upright members 102 and 104. The upright plates 102 and 104 are connected as shown in FIGURE 5 by member 106. A passageway is thus defined by members 102, 104 and 106, which is tapered due to the inclination of the member 106. The wedge member 34 is the same as that shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. As before, appropriate grooves may be formed in the side walls of the wedging member and in the plate 106 and the top 77 to receive the cable 14. A bolt 54 extends through the members 102 and 104 and slot 56 and functions in the same manner as the bolts 54 in the previously discussed embodiments. Here, however, a nut 55 is necessary to prevent removal of the bolt 54. If desired, this bolt may be permanently fastened in the slot such as by swaging the free end.

The operation of the embodiments disclosed in FIG- URES 5 and 6 are, of course, the same as with the previously discussed embodiments. This last embodiment, however, does offer the advantage of having the cable exert its force along the central longitudinal axis of the wedging mechanism. This can best be seen by an exami- 7 nation of FIGURE 6. The force exerted on the Wedge button through the cable 14 is illustrated by the arrow 110. As can be seen, the line of force 110 coincides with the longitudinal axis of the wedging mechanism. By also utilizing the rotatable feature discussed with the embodiment of FIGURE 4 and shown in FIGURE 5, a significant amount of stress is removed which would otherwise be applied to the wedge button.

Another significant advantage of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 is that it is useful where there is a large vertical pull on the cable. Due to the curved configuration of the front or narrow portion of the wedge 34, an upward pull on the cable will simply bend the cable around this portion of the wedge. A downward pull will give little porblem due to the fact that the cable will hit the edge of the barge deck.

Another advantage offered by use of the wedge buttons is that a system of deck fittings may be devised which prevents, to a great extent, the theft of the cable or of the deck fittings. This is accomplished by use of a swage 120. Since the swage is larger than the passageway between the wedge and the co-acting side members, the free end 36 of the cable cannot be pulled back through the wedge button. The wedge may be permanently secured within the housing by bolt 54 and the wedge button permanently secured to the deck. In combination with the use of the swage 120, this would prevent theft from the wedge button end of the barge make up system.

A similar arrangement may be utilized with the winch end of the system. A swage may be used, for example, in the winch of my previously mentioned Patent No. 3,302,931, which is too large to move through the wedge housing of that patent. A partial section view of the winch is shown in FIGURE 9. The winch consists of a base plate 130 and side members 132 (only one of which is shown). A shaft 134 extends between the side members and carries a drum 136 and ratchet wheel 138. The apparatus used to rotate the ratchet wheel and drum has been omitted for simplicity but is fully disclosed in my above cited patent. A wedge housing 140 is located on the drum 136, through which housing the end 142 of the cable is passed. A wedge 144 is placed in the housing as a means to prevent the cable from pulling through. A swage 146 is then placed on the cable.

In operation, the wedge 144 will prevent accidental withdrawal of the cable end 142 from the winch. Should the wedge fall out or be removed, for example in an attempted theft, the swage 146 will prevent removal of the cable through the housing 140. Not only will the use of the swages 120 and 146 aid in preventing theft of the cable, but also in preventing theft of the winch and/ or wedge button. With the use of the present system, someone attempting to steal either the winch or the wedge button must not only break the bond between the barge deck and the fitting itself, but also the bond formed by the swage as well. Thus, two bonds must be broken to steal either the winch, wedge button or the cable. Since the wedge button and winch are usually welded to the deck, and the bonds between the swages and cable are very strong ones, the task facing someone trying to steal the fittings or cable is a large one.

With some take up apparatus the additional swage 146 is unnecessary. In a steamboat ratchet 150, as shown in FIGURE for example, the cable 14 is permanently formed into a loop 152 by any conventional means, such as swaging, splicing, clamping, etc. This loop is, in turn, attached to a closed loop or eye on the ratchet to prevent removal of the cable. Reciprocal movement of the lever 154 ratchets the screw 156 into or out of the ratchet, and accordingly, tightens or loosens the cable.

As will be readily understood, use of only one swage at the wedge button end of the cable will provide the above discussed additional protecting against theft with the use of the steamboat ratchet. The same is, of course, true with any of the well known take up devices which require the cable to be looped. It should also be understood that the use of swages at both ends of the cable may be employed with the wedge button with any conventional winch, ratchet, hoist or other tensioning or barge connecting device suitable for carrying a housing similar to the housing of the winch of FIGURE 9.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the desired objectives and advantages set forth at the outset have been achieved. Cable securing means which are both inexpensive to manufacture and simple to operate have been provided. The wedge button, several embodiments of which have been described herein, provides a reliable method of fastening the loose end of the connecting cable while possessing none of the disadvantages of the prior art methods. Since the wedging mechanism can be permantly attached to the base member of the deck button, the possibility of loss or theft of the accessory is eliminated. Due to the inclination of one embodiment of the wedging mechanism, the problem which occurs when the deck of one barge is of a substantially difierent elevation with respect to the other barge is eliminated. There is no longer any need to splice or tie a knot in one end of the cable. since the present invention may be utilized with the end of the cable in its normal condition. The present invention, furthermore, provides a rotatable wedge button, and a wedge button wherein the wedge is vertically positioned, thus eliminating much of the twisting stress to which the wedge button would normally be subjected. By use of a second bolt, the wedge may be maintained in its forwardmost or clamping position, even should slack occur in the cable. In addition, the wedge button makes possible an anti-theft system of barge make up fittings.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the details of construction, and the combination, shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the claims:

1. A wedge button for use with cables in connecting barges and the like, comprised of:

base means for attaching to the deck of a barge including,

a peripheral side wall,

recess means in said peripheral sidewall for receiving a portion of a connecting cable, and

a top,

wedge means secured to the top of the base means, said wedge means being defined as including,

two upstanding members extending generally vertically from the top of the base means and converging, so 'as to define with the top of the base means,

a passageway having a wide end and a narrow end,

a wedge slidably mounted in said passageway, the sides of the wedge being tapered to mate with the two upstanding members,

mating grooves in the sides of the wedge and in the upstanding members for receiving the cable, and

means for maintaining the wedge within the passageway.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein,

the top of the base means and the wedging means mounted thereon are inclined with respect to the deck of the barge in such a manner that the narrow end of the passageway is of a higher elevation above the deck than said wide end.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for maintaining the wedge within the passageway is defined as including,

an inwardly directed flange on each of the upstanding members, said flanges being spaced from the top of the base means and partially defining the passageway.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for maintaining the wedge within the passageways is defined as,

a top member generally parallel to the top of the base means and connecting the upstanding members, the top member partially defining said passageway.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said Wedge has a forward position in which a connecting cable would be securely wedged in said wedge means and including,

releasable locking means for maintaining the wedge in its forward position.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein,

the top of the base means and the wedge means are rotatable relative to the remainder of the base means.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein,

the top of the base means and the wedge means mounted thereon are inclined with respect to the deck of the barge in such a manner that the narrow end of the passageway is of a higher elevation above the deck than said wide end.

8. The invention of claim 6 wherein the means for maintaining the wedge within the passageway is defined as including,

a top member generally parallel to the top of the base means and connecting the upstanding members, the top member partially defining said passageway.

9. The invention of claim 6 wherein the means for maintaining the wedge within the passageway is defined as including,

an inwardly directed flange on each of the upstanding members, said flanges being spaced fromthe top of the base means and partially defining the passageway.

10. The invention of claim 6 wherein said wedge has a forward position in which a connecting cable would be securely wedged in said wedge means and including,

releasable locking means for maintaining the wedge in its forward position.

11. A wedge button for use with a cable in connecting barges and the like, including,

base means for attaching to the deck of a barge includa peripheral side wall,

recess means in said peripheral sidewall for receiving a portion of a connecting cable, and

a top,

wedge means secured to the top of the base means, said wedge means being defined as including, I

two generally vertically extending members upstandmg from the top of the base means,

a top plate connecting the two upstanding members, said top plate being inclined relative to the top of the base means,

a passageway defined by the top plate, the top of the base means and the two upstanding members, the passageway being tapered due to the inclined top late and thus having a narrow end and a wide end,

a wedge slidably mounted in the passageway, said wedge including,

sides tapered for mating with the top plate and the top of the base means, said button further including,

means for maintaining the wedge within the passageway.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein,

the top of the base means and the wedge means secured thereto are rotatable.

13. The invention of claim 11 wherein,

the top of the base means is inclined relative to the barge deck so that said top of the base means is of a higher elevation above the deck at the narrow end of the passageway than at the wide end.

14. The invention of claim 11 wherein,

the wedge has a forward position in which a connecting cable would be securely wedged in said wedge means, and including,

releasable locking means for maintaining the wedge in its forward position.

15. An anti-theft barge make-up system comprised a cable,

a cable tensioning device,

means for securing in an anti-theft manner one end of the cable to said tensioning device,

a wedge button comprised of,

base means for attaching to the deck of a barge includa peripheral side wall,

recess means in said peripheral sidewall for receiving a portion of a connecting cable, and

a top,

a wedging mechanism mounted on said base means,

said wedging mechanism including,

a wedge slidably secured in said mechanism,

two members cooperating with the wedge for wedging the cable in said mechanism,

a passageway defined by the wedge and each of said members, the cross-sectional area of each passageway varying with the position of the wedge but having a known maximum area, said system being further comprised of,

the second end of the cable extending through the passageways in the wedging mechanism, and

a swage on the second end of the cable between said second end and the passageways, the cross-sectional area of said swage being greater than the crosssectional area of said passageways, whereby the ends of the cable cannot be freed from their respective fittings.

1-6. The invention of claim 15 and including securing means on the take-up device for securing the take-up device to the deck of a barge, and the swage is further defined as,

a cylindrical member mounted about the cable and pressed into the cable with sufiicient force to secure it on the cable.

17. The invention of claim 16 wherein the means securing said one end of the cable to the tensioning device is defined as,

a loop secured to a closed loop on the tensioning device.

18. The invention of claim 16 wherein the means se curing said one end of the cable to the tensioning device is defined as including,

a passageway having a predetermined cross-sectional area and being fixed to said tensioning device, said one end of the cable extending through said lastmentioned passageway,

a second swage on the cable between said one end and the last-mentioned passageway, said swage having a cross-sectional area greater than said predetermined area, whereby said one end of the cable cannot be removed through the last-mentioned passageway.

19. The invention of claim 18 wherein the wedging mechanism is further defined as including,

means for preventing removal of the wedge,

all of said passageways being essentially closed throughout their length but having open ends for the passage of the respective cable ends, whereby the cable ends cannot be inserted or removed from the passageways, except by longitudinal movement of the said cable ends.

20. An anti-theft barge make-up system comprised of,

a cable,

a cable tensioning device secured to the barge deck,

a passageway on said cable tensioning device having a known maximum cross-sectional area,

a wedge button comprised of,

(i) base means for attaching to the deck of a barge including,

a peripheral side wall,

1 1 recess means in said peripheral sidewall for receiving a portion of a connecting cable, and a top,

(ii) a wedging mechanism mounted on said base means, said wedging mechanism including,

inserting the other end of the cable through said passageway, and

securing a swage that is larger than said passageway cross-sectional area on said cable between said other end and the passageway.

a wedge secured in said mechanism for limited sliding 5 22. The invention of claim 21 wherein the tensioning movement, device has a passageway of a known cross-sectional area two members coacting with the wedge for wedging and the step of securing said one end of the cable to the the cable in said mechanism, tensioning device is further defined as, a passageway defined by the wedge and each of said inserting said one end through the last-mentioned members, the cross-sectional area of each passageway passageway, and varying with the position of the wedge but having securing a swage that is larger than said known crossa known maximum area, sectional area on the cable between said one end and all of the above mentioned passageways being essensaid last-mentioned passageway.

tially closed throughout their length but having 23. The invention of claim 4 wherein the base means open ends for the passage of the cable, whereby the is further defined as including, cable can be inserted into or removed from the pasa base including, sageways only by longitudinal movement of said bottom flange means for fixedly securing the wedge cable, button to the deck, one end of the cable extending through the passageway a said peripheral sidewall lying between the bottom on the cable tensioning device, flange means and said top. the other end of the cable extending through the passageways defined by the wedge and coacting mem- References Cited bars, h d f th M d b 1 t d b UNITED STATES PATENTS aswage on eac en 0 eca e an eing ocae ei) tween said ends and the respective passageways guber through which the ends are extended, the cross- 6 agen sectional area of each swage being greater than the 11/194 Jaqufis 242117 cross-sectional area of the passa eway through which 2573806 11/1951 Paterson 24136 D its respective end extends, whereby the ends of the 2722907 11/1955 Dyer 114-218 cable cannot be freed from their respective fitting. 2798448 7/1957 Hale 114235 21. A method of attachin in an anti-theft manner a 5162 10/1958 Schacht 242 117 U barge train make-up system comprised of a cable tension- 3292567 12/1966 Blackburn 114-235 ing device, a wedge button and a connecting cable, comprising the steps of, FOREIGN PATENTS securing the tensioning device on the deck of a barge, 107,636 7/ 1917 Great Britain.

securing one end of the cable to the tensioning device in a manner whereby said one end may not be removed but said device may tension the cable,

securing the wedge button to the barge deck, said Wedge button having a passageway of a predetermined maximum cross-sectional area for receiving the cable, whereby the cable may be temporarily clamped by a wedging action,

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner 40 JAMES E. PITTENGER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

